Booking a private boat in Side usually comes down to two options: a traditional wooden gulet or a luxury motor yacht. Both are reserved exclusively for your group and both come with a professional crew — but they are built for very different days. Here is a clear comparison so you can book the right one first time.
The Two Charters at a Glance
- Private gulet: classic wooden boat, up to around 50 guests, roughly 7 hours on the water, flexible route.
- Luxury motor yacht: captain and crew, up to around 25 guests, roughly 6 hours, calm bays and an optional sunset departure.
In short: the private gulet charter is the big, sociable option, while the luxury motor yacht is the exclusive, VIP-style one.
Group Size and Atmosphere
The gulet takes up to about 50 guests, which makes it the natural pick for extended families, friend groups and company outings. The deck has space for everyone, the music playlist is entirely yours, and the mood is relaxed and traditional.
The motor yacht hosts up to about 25 guests and feels noticeably more private. With a captain and crew handling every detail, it suits couples, proposals, milestone anniversaries and small VIP groups that value calm over crowd.
Route and Duration
The gulet day lasts around 7 hours and the route stays flexible. Highlights include a swim stop at the river delta and views of the Side peninsula and the Temple of Apollo from the sea — a perspective you simply cannot get on land.
The yacht sails for about 6 hours and heads for quiet, calm bays — ideal if swimming in still water matters more to you than covering distance. It is also the only one of the two with a sunset option, turning the charter into a golden-hour cruise.
Food and Drinks
On the gulet, lunch is prepared as a menu tailored to your group. Alcohol is served at the on-board bar, and you may bring one bottle of spirits of your own. On the yacht, you choose between lunch and dinner, and the menu is planned together with the team in advance — a big plus for a celebration dinner on the sunset cruise.
Which One Should You Book?
- Big birthday, family reunion, team day: gulet — room for up to ~50 guests, and celebration decoration can be arranged when requested 2–3 days ahead.
- Proposal, anniversary or honeymoon: motor yacht — smaller group, sunset option, menu agreed in advance.
- Longest day and sightseeing from the sea: gulet, with its ~7-hour flexible route past the Apollo Temple.
- Quiet swims in calm bays: motor yacht.
Whichever you choose, the essentials are covered: crew and insurance are included on the gulet; fuel, port fees and insurance are included on the yacht. Transfers are extra on both — on request for the gulet, as a VIP transfer for the yacht. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and some cash for drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do booking and payment work?
Your reservation is confirmed instantly, and you pay on the day of the charter on board, by cash or card. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
What happens in bad weather?
The motor yacht charter can be rescheduled free of charge in bad weather. And with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, you are never locked in on either boat.
Can we decorate the boat for a celebration?
Yes — on the gulet, celebration decoration is available when requested 2–3 days in advance. On the yacht, share your plans while agreeing the menu beforehand.
Is the motor yacht wheelchair accessible?
No. Boarding is via steps, so the yacht is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users.
Tell Side Boat Trips your date and group size, and your private gulet or motor yacht is confirmed instantly — your day on the water starts with one message.